Treating yourself to a new watch is exciting. Whether your current timepiece is on its last legs, or you just want to expand your existing collection, the entire process should be an enjoyable one. It is important to find the right watch for the right price. By taking these factors into consideration, you can be confident you have found one to match your lifestyle, budget, and style.
Type
When it comes to shopping around for a new watch, you must decide between analog or digital. There are a number of benefits associated with each. For example, analog watches offer greater design flexibility and are considered classic and timeless. Digital watches, on the other hand, are a cost-effective alternative and tend to include several additional features such as GPS, calendars, and even weather. Which type you choose is largely due to personal preference and practicality. You must weigh up the pros and cons of each before making an informed decision.
Style
As well as type, you must also decide which style you would like your new watch to be. Watches come in a wide range of shapes and sizes and can be worn for a number of different purposes. They can typically be classified as either sport, luxury, casual, or vintage. Lifestyle plays a large role in which style of watch you opt for. You must also consider how much you are willing to spend on your brand-new timepiece. If you are an athlete, a sport watch is your best call. A luxury watch, such as the Cartier Santos, is a great choice for business meetings or events and a casual or vintage watch is a solid option for everyday use.
Budget
How much you are willing to spend on your new timepiece should be one of your first considerations. By shopping around with a ballpark figure in mind, you can ensure you are sticking to your budget and prevent overspending. Watch prices differ depending on a number of factors including material, technology, and rarity. You must enter the store armed with a strict budget and be prepared not to be swayed by any sneaky sales assistants. You may end up trying on a watch that is out of your price range and falling in love. This happens more than you might think. If money is no object and you are willing to splash the cash on the perfect watch, it may benefit you to shop around based on personal taste and preference as opposed to limiting your options. If you are looking for high-end stylish automatic watches under $1,000, you may check out this list at SenseOrient which has narrowed down 14 best options for your consideration.
Material
Watches can be designed with a number of different materials. The most common include leather, gold, silver, plastic, titanium, and canvas. If you are looking for a cheap, durable watch, plastic or canvas watches are inexpensive and hardwearing and suited to outdoor environments. Gold or silver watches, on the other hand, look great but can cost a pretty penny. Leather straps are also common. They can be designed in a number of colours and styles and are relatively lightweight for everyday use. Rose gold is another material that has surged in popularity in recent years. It is a combination of pure gold, copper, and silver and has emerged as a fashionable alternative to yellow gold watches.
Water resistance
Once you have decided how you would like your watch to look, you must decide how you would like your watch to perform. Whether you are planning to wear your new timepiece on a daily basis or only on special occasions can impact how much emphasis you place on practicality and functionality. Water resistance is just one of the factors you must consider. Most watches benefit from a degree of water resistance, but several luxury or sport options can be protected from being fully submerged and are suitable for swimming and diving. Water resistance levels can range from 30m, which is recommended for handwashing or rain splashback only, to 300m, which is suitable for deep-sea diving in a helium enriched environment. Prices differ depending on whether the watch is intended for sport or luxury purposes, but most everyday timepieces require no more than 30m water resistance level.
Brand
When it comes to purchasing a new watch, you may already have a brand in mind. This is often the starting point for those looking to replace their current watch. Some watch manufacturers specialise in luxury or sport watches only. This allows them to provide a consistent service for their loyal customer base and ensures they are at the top of their game. Many luxury brand watches also tend to surge in value over time. By investing in a vintage watch, you can own a piece of history or make a considerable profit by buying and selling and attending specialist watch auctions. Other watch brands are known for their durability and practically. Whether you are looking for a watch to show off at work or to accompany you on your next hike, there is guaranteed to be a top of the range brand out there for you.
Power source
There are many power sources you must consider when you purchase a brand-new watch. The most common include mechanical, automatic, quartz, and solar. A mechanical watch contains a clockwork mechanism and must be wound on a daily basis. An automatic watch winds itself automatically as necessary as you move around. A quartz watch is battery operated and must be replaced every few years or when the clock hands stop working. Finally, solar watches are powered by the sun. They require little to no maintenance and do not need to be wound or replaced on a regular basis. There are several pros and cons associated with each power source. Your watch manufacturer should be able to educate you on the different types available and which one is convenient for you.
Features
Watches may be small, but they can offer a wide range of features and functionalities within their tiny frame. Whether you are a first-time buyer looking to purchase a simple timepiece with two hands or an experienced collector after a complex watch with a never-ending list of additional extras, there is guaranteed to be a watch out there for you. You must make a note of which features are likely to benefit you in your daily life before making an informed decision. Do you want to tell the time around the world? Do you want to track your personal best lap time? Do you want to monitor your heart rate during a particularly difficult hike? There are watches that can accomplish all of those features and more. The watch industry is constantly evolving to meet the growing demands associated with the modern-day consumer. The number and complexity of functions chosen will reflect the final price.
Buying a new watch is an exciting milestone. With so much to consider, preparation is key. You must account for type, style, budget, material, water resistance, brand, power source, and features. By establishing a thorough checklist ahead of time, you can source your brand-new watch quickly and efficiently.